Scammer crackdown gone wrong/Bank accounts unlocked in ‘half a day’/Online fraud nightmare spreading/Shingles treated with folk remedy/Heavy rain warnings/Chao Phraya river near critical level/Ayutthaya hit by floods/Victory Monument overhaul/Senate okays 120-day m12 million baht lottery jackpot/Hundreds of monkeys escape/ECONOMY: Raises Alarm on Fiscal Stability/Land bridge to nowhere/Bangkok condos at 2015 prices/Budget for elderly welfare ballooning/TOURISM: International travel charge hike/Asia-Pacific Hotel Investment Down/Suvarnabhumi Awarded 4-Star Rating/Seaplane Tests for Island Tourism/Trang Airport opens new terminal/THAILAND EXPERIENCE: Most affordable places to visit/Thailand’s most magnificent waterfalls/Snail Fossils Become 27th Heritage Site/CLIMATE THAILAND: EVs sales grow/INTERNATIONAL/HUA HIN LINKS
Authorities scramble to fix scammer crackdown gone wrong
Thailand’s well-intentioned crackdown on online scammers has backfired spectacularly, turning from a law enforcement success story into a bureaucratic mess that has ensnared thousands of innocent citizens in its digital dragnet.
What was supposed to be a targeted strike against criminal networks instead became an indiscriminate sweep that froze the bank accounts of ordinary merchants, small business owners, and everyday workers across the country. Continued …
Innocent people’s frozen bank accounts unlocked in ‘half a day’
The bank accounts of innocent people frozen during police investigations into scammers’ mule accounts will be unlocked within half a day, national police chief Kittharath Punpetch said yesterday.
Kittharath said that police manning the hotline numbers 191 and 1559 were instructed to help by taking complaints from innocent people whose bank accounts were frozen during a scam investigation. Continued …
Online fraud nightmare spreading within Thailand’s digital banking system
Thailand’s digital banking is in crisis as online fraud explodes. Police promise to unfreeze innocent accounts, yet victims are trapped. In Udon Thani, a 48-year-old woman had her account wiped, frozen, and was threatened with prosecution over Bt25,998 she never kept.
Scammers using AI and fake identities stay ahead, while victims face suspicion instead of help. The digital revolution is turning into a nightmare, and fraudsters are winning. Continued …
PKK vendor nearly dies after shingles treated with folk remedy
A 39-year-old vegetable vendor in Mueang district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, has shared her near-death ordeal after a traditional treatment for shingles spiraled into a life-threatening infection.
The woman said the ordeal began earlier this month whe shingles appeared on her neck and behind her ears. Initially, she self-medicated with over-the-counter drugs, but when her symptoms persisted, she turned to a traditional healer on a friend’s advice. The treatment involved chewing betel leaves while chanting a spell and spraying the mixture onto the blisters. Continued …
Heavy rain warnings issued as monsoon strengthens, tropical storm approaching
The Thai Meteorological Department reported today that the monsoon trough extends across the lower central region, the east, and the lower northeast, connecting with an active low-pressure cell over the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the moderate southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the south, and the Gulf of Thailand is expected to strengthen.
South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon. Minimum temperature 24-25 °C. Maximum temperature 32-34 °C. Continued …
Chao Phraya river near critical level: three provinces warned of heavy flooding
The Chao Phraya river is approaching critical levels, prompting warnings for residents in three provinces as the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) prepares to increase dam discharges.
As of yesterday, water levels in the upper Chao Phraya continued to rise. The RID has announced plans to increase water releases from the Chao Phraya Dam to match current conditions. Continued …
Ayutthaya hit by floods in six districts, 25,000 households affected
Ayutthaya Province is grappling with severe flooding across six districts, affecting 25,024 households and claiming one life, as the Chao Phraya Dam prepares to increase water discharge.
The Royal Irrigation Department yesterday issued a warning, stating that persistent heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas has caused rising inflows into the Chao Phraya River. Despite maximizing water diversion into irrigation systems on both banks, surplus water remains, requiring additional discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam to manage water levels effectively and minimize impacts on low-lying areas. Continued …
Victory Monument slated for overhaul
Bangkok’s Victory Monument will undergo a major revamp, the largest in 20 years, which will transform public transportation infrastructure, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
BMA spokesman Aekvarunyoo Amrapala said the plan will reimagine both the landscape and the functionality of the area surrounding the monument by focusing on commuter behavior and needs. He said a mix of urban planning, landscape design, and transport engineering will be applied. Continued …
Senate okays 120-day maternity leave, 60 days paid
Female employees in Thailand will be entitled to maternity leave of up to 120 days under the Labor Protection Amendments bill, which passed the Senate yesterday.
Under the new bill, a mother is entitled to 120 days of maternity leave, with full pay for 60 days, compared with 98 days and 45 days of full pay under the current law. It will take effect within 30 days after being promulgated in the Royal Gazette. Moreover, their spouses can take 15 days paid leave to care for their partner. Continued …
‘White Lotus’ stars wow Emmys with glowing praise for Thailand
Thailand took center stage at the 77th Emmy Awards when The White Lotus Season 3 stars Walton Goggins and Parker Posey shared heartfelt praise for the country, drawing applause from the Hollywood audience.
The moment came as the pair presented the award for Best Director in Los Angeles. Goggins told the crowd, “We just spent eight months in Thailand filming The White Lotus Season 3.” Posey quickly added with a smile, “It’s so beautiful there, and the food is amazing.” Continued …
Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot
A resident of Khon Kaen has become Thailand’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the government lottery draw. The man struck gold with two first-prize tickets in a moment that has sent his entire village into celebration.
The winning number in the draw yesterday was 074646. The first-prize ticket carried a payout of 6 million baht each, and with two in hand, the winner pocketed a total of 12 million baht. Other lucky combinations included the two-digit number 58, front three-digit numbers 740 and 512, and end three-digit numbers 308 and 703. Continued …
Hundreds of monkeys escape cages and run riot in Lopburi
Residents of Lopburi faced a wild spectacle yesterday, as more than 100 monkeys escaped from the Pho Kao Ton Monkey Shelter in Mueang district. The mass breakout sparked panic in the area, with troops of primates roaming the streets, invading homes, and causing mayhem near the Tha Hin Police Station.
Police officers stationed nearby were forced to fend off the unruly animals after some of them made their way onto the premises, rummaging through parked cars. Officers resorted to slingshots to drive the monkeys back toward the nursery, while residents looked on in alarm. Continued …
Bank of Thailand Governor Raises Alarm on Fiscal Stability
Bank of Thailand (BOT) Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput has voiced serious concerns about the nation’s fiscal stability, warning that a weak financial position could lead to a downgrade of its credit rating.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, the governor stated there was no need for further economic stimulus and urged the government to save its resources for a genuine crisis. Sethaput highlighted that Thailand’s current economic situation requires a balanced approach, combining both stimulus and austerity. Continued …
Land bridge to nowhere
The embattled land bridge, a massive logistics project to connect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, resurfaced in public attention last month.
This is because, despite a shoddy Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), under the helm of the Pheu Thai government ,gave this one-trillion-baht megaproject the go-ahead. Continued …
New Bangkok condos being offered at 2015 prices
Some new condominiums launched recently in Bangkok have been priced at levels similar to those seen a decade ago, as developers settle for slim margins to draw buyers with limited purchasing power, according to the Thai Condominium Assn.
Some developers resumed launches in the third quarter of this year after freezing new condo projects during the first six months, said Prasert Taedullayasatit, the association’s president. Continued …
Budget for elderly welfare ballooning
The budget for elderly welfare has surged, reaching 365 billion baht in fiscal 2026, which is 50% higher than 10 years ago, reflecting Thailand’s transition to an aging society, according to the Budget Bureau.
Over the past decade, Thailand’s budget for elderly welfare has steadily increased. In fiscal 2017, it was 244 billion baht, rising to 335 billion in 2020 and 365 billion in fiscal 2026. Continued …
CAAT eyes international travel charge hike
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has proposed a hike in international air travel charges to cover losses. It is preparing to propose new fee adjustments to the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) this October, aimed at aligning collection with actual operational costs and strengthening financial security for aviation safety and standards.
CAAT Director-general Manat Chavanaprayoon said that under the current structure his organization has only been able to collect one type of fee – international travel charges at 15 baht per passenger – while the actual cost is 23 baht. Despite rising passenger numbers, revenues have steadily declined. Continued …
Asia-Pacific Hotel Investment Down 23% in H1 2025, Thailand trails 4 others
The Asia-Pacific hotel investment market saw transaction volumes fall to $4.7 billion in the first half of 2025, a decrease of approximately 23% compared to the same period last year, according to a report by real estate consultancy JLL. This decline reflects a more cautious approach to investment amid heightened global macroeconomic and policy uncertainty.
Japan led the region with the highest transaction value at $1.5 billion, followed by China ($744 million), Australia ($664 million), Singapore ($546 million), and South Korea ($504 million). Thailand recorded an investment value of $301 million (approximately 9,800 million baht), driven primarily by domestic investors. Continued …
Suvarnabhumi Airport Awarded 4-Star Rating by Skytrax
Suvarnabhumi Airport has been upgraded from a 3-star to a 4-star facility, following an announcement by Skytrax. The recognition marks a step forward in Thailand’s ambition to raise service quality at its main international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AOT) said the rating highlights ongoing improvements across passenger services and facilities.
Skytrax, a UK-based consultancy that assesses airlines and airports worldwide, cited multiple service enhancements at Suvarnabhumi. The award noted improvements in staff performance at passenger assistance points, immigration counters, and security operations. Continued …
Seaplane Tests Set to Boost Thailand’s Island Tourism Scene
Thailand is set to trial seaplane routes in Trang to boost tourism by connecting remote islands with key destinations. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), in collaboration with Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, plans to launch test flights later this year.
Koh Kradan, known for its pristine waters and serene environment, will serve as the hub for seaplane trials. If successful, this scheme could expand to link less-visited islands with major locations such as Bangkok and Phuket. Continued …
Trang Airport opens new terminal after 4-year delay
Trang Airport has opened a new domestic terminal after years of construction delays, boosting capacity and marking a major step in regional air travel.
The 1.07-billion-baht project finally saw a soft opening on Sept. 5, when the terminal welcomed its first travelers. The launch followed extensive testing, including a simulation with 50 trial passengers to assess service procedures and identify areas for improvement. Continued …
What are the most affordable places to visit in Thailand?
Thailand is one of the most affordable and beautiful places to visit in Southeast Asia. With beautiful landscapes, a rich culture, and plenty of low-cost activities, it is perfect for backpackers, digital nomads, and long-term travelers. Continued …
Thailand’s most magnificent waterfalls
The rainy season transforms the Thai countryside into a vivid, living landscape. Forests spring to life, fields sway in different shades of green, and rivers swell into roaring and majestic cascades.
For outdoor enthusiasts, this is the time to wonder at waterfalls. Exploring these waterfalls is more than sightseeing; it’s a journey into landscapes at their most alive. Continued …
13-Million-Year-Old Snail Fossils Become Thailand’s 27th Heritage Site
Thailand has officially registered the “Mae Moh Freshwater Snail Fossil Site” in Lampang Province as the country’s 27th fossil heritage site, featuring what scientists say is the world’s thickest freshwater snail fossil layer dating back over 13 million years.
The Mae Moh fossil site contains the largest concentration of fossils discovered in any region of Thailand. The 13-million-year-old freshwater snail fossils reveal a fascinating glimpse into ancient Thailand’s climate and ecosystem. Continued …
EVs sales grow despite downbeat market
The Thai electric vehicle sector continues to grow, driven by higher sales and exports of locally made EVs, though the overall auto market remains stagnant, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
From January to July, passenger battery EVs (BEVs) comprised 18% of total car sales in the domestic market, approaching oil-fuelled pickups, which claimed a 24% market share, followed by internal combustion engine-powered passenger cars (23%) and hybrid EVs (20%). Continued …
Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden boy with a Midas touch
With his all-American good looks, Robert Redford, who died yesterday aged 89, was the eternal “Sundance Kid”, a US screen legend both in front of and behind the camera. The tousled-haired heartthrob made his breakthrough alongside Paul Newman as the affable outlaw in the hippy Western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1969. Continued …
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